NASA Awards $128.8M to Caltech for ASTER Science Team Lead, Sole-Source Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,884,460 ($12.9M)
Contractor: California Institute of Technology
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-02-22
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,047 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ASTER SCIENCE TEAM LEAD
Place of Performance
Location: PASADENA, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91125
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $12.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for work described as: ASTER SCIENCE TEAM LEAD Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $128.8 million awarded. 2. Sole-source procurement raises questions about competition and price discovery. 3. Long contract duration of 2047 days (approx. 5.6 years) indicates a substantial, ongoing need. 4. Contract falls under R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without comparable contracts, assessing the pricing against similar services is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to achieve the lowest price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long-term nature of the contract suggests critical, ongoing scientific research. Oversight is crucial to ensure the 'award fee' component is justified by performance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 62 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Cost Plus Award Fee contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a reputable institution (Caltech)
- Supports critical scientific research (ASTER Science Team Lead)
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under NAICS code 541710, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.' Spending in this sector is often characterized by long-term projects and specialized expertise, making competition sometimes challenging.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to the California Institute of Technology, a large research institution. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by NASA. Given the sole-source nature and Cost Plus Award Fee structure, robust oversight is essential to ensure the contractor is meeting performance objectives and that costs are reasonable and allocable.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source procurement limits competition.
- Cost Plus Award Fee can lead to higher costs.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $12.9 million to CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. ASTER SCIENCE TEAM LEAD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-22. End: 2012-09-30.
What specific scientific advancements or deliverables are expected from the ASTER Science Team Lead contract, and how do they justify the sole-source award?
The ASTER Science Team Lead contract likely supports critical research related to the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument, which provides global data for Earth observation and scientific study. Justification for a sole-source award would typically stem from unique expertise, proprietary data access, or the need for continuity with an established team possessing specialized knowledge essential for the project's success, thereby ensuring scientific integrity and progress.
How does NASA ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Award Fee contract awarded on a sole-source basis?
NASA employs rigorous oversight mechanisms, including detailed cost audits and performance evaluations tied to the award fee criteria. For sole-source contracts, they must establish a reasonable price based on historical data, market research, or independent cost estimates. The award fee structure incentivizes performance, but the baseline cost must be justified, and continuous monitoring prevents cost overruns and ensures the government receives fair value for its investment.
What is the long-term strategic importance of the ASTER Science Team Lead role to NASA's Earth science mission, and are there plans for future competition?
The ASTER Science Team Lead plays a crucial role in guiding scientific use of ASTER data, fostering research, and ensuring the instrument's continued relevance to NASA's Earth science objectives. Its long-term importance lies in advancing our understanding of Earth's surface processes. Future competition might be considered if the scope of work evolves or if new entities develop comparable expertise, but continuity is often prioritized for such specialized, long-duration scientific leadership roles.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Space R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 51
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4800 OAK GROVE DR, PASADENA, CA, 91109
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,126,259
Exercised Options: $13,126,259
Current Obligation: $12,884,460
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NAS703001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-22
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-17
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